Zell Miller, the former Georgia governor and senator, endorsed Democrat Michelle Nunn for the state's open Senate seat, The Hill reported.

Miller, 82, called Nunn a "bridge builder, not a bridge burner" in a video endorsementbacking the Democratic Senate candidate over her Republican opponent David Perdue in their battle for the seat being vacated by retiring two-term Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss.

Miller, seated with Nunn, 48, in the video, says, "I'm so angry about what's going on in Washington — partisanship over patriotism. They can't stop themselves, but we can stop them. Lets send Michelle Nunn to the Senate. Michelle Nunn gives this old Georgian hope." Michelle Nunn is the daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia.

The Georgia race is considered a crucial for both parties and could determine whether the GOP or Democrats control the chamber after the November elections.

Miller's endorsement sent shock waves through Georgia's political community because Miller, a Democrat, has exclusively endorsed Republicans in the last decade, and even nominated George W. Bush for President at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

Miller told the Journal-Constitution, "I have great respect for her dedication to public service and her dedication to bipartisan results. I've known her since she was born."

Nunn has been criticized as an "outsider" for growing up mostly in Maryland, and for her former position as CEO of the Points of Light Foundation, which gave grants to "terrorists" and "inmates," according to the National Review, which cited a Nunn campaign strategy document pointing out possible political weaknesses.